BLOOD AND RAIN

The trouble with incessant rain is that it fogs up your vision. With an effective suppressor and a fantastic grip, the Bennington 460e was the best sniper rifle in the black market. Even so, technology had to bow down to the erratic temperament of Mother Nature as I struggled to get a clear shot.

A hundred yard shot was a piece of cake. The roof of the Parson’s hotel gave a much better view of the building across the road. All I needed was one clear vision of the General. The General was due anytime now. But I had to get the vision clear, right on the crosshair. I did not care who wanted him dead and why. All that mattered to me was the cash that would be deposited to my Swiss account as soon as I put a .22 slug through the grey matter of some nondescript being.

The rain had no intention of stopping and I lay silently in the dark recess of the roof of Parson’s Hotel waiting for my prey. The cold winds added to my woes and I only hoped that I would have time before the guy opened his umbrella as soon as he got out of his vehicle.

A dark blue sedan pulled in on the curb. That was the car as per the information provided. I steadied my grip on the rifle and took in all I could see through the visor. Time slowed down as I readied myself. The door opened and a guard stepped out. He glanced around for a second or two and beckoned the General out. The ever conspiring rain now increased its intensity.

Finally the balding head of a corpulent middle aged man showed up on my visor. I didn’t inhale, couldn’t afford that movement. And as the rain hit me with a savage force, there was a clap of thunder. I didn’t know whether the gunshot corresponded with the sound of nature’s fury, for I was blinded at that moment. All I could see was red rain pouring through my eyes. The skies seemed even darker and I slumped onto my back. A man in a sinister trench coat had a gun pointed at me and it’s barrel billowed with fine misty smoke. Somewhere through his dark countenance, a badge reflected the moonlight onto my blinded eyes.

Word count: 392
Image: self made on Corel Photoshop